Zach Wilson Bio
Zachary Kapono Wilson is an American professional football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 3, 1999, in Draper, Utah, Wilson played college football at Brigham Young University (BYU) before being selected second overall by the New York Jets in the 2021 NFL draft. After a turbulent three-year run as the Jets’ starter, he spent time as a backup with the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins before signing with the New Orleans Saints in March 2026.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 214 pounds, Wilson is known for his arm talent, mobility, and creativity outside the pocket. His NFL journey has included early flashes of promise, benchings, injuries, and a transition into a journeyman role as he looks to revive his career in a new city.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Kapono Wilson was born on August 3, 1999, in Draper, Utah, to parents Michael Wilson and Lisa Wilson (née Neeleman). He grew up in a large family with three brothers and two sisters, including his younger brother Isaac Wilson, who is also a college quarterback. Part Hawaiian on his father’s side, Wilson’s middle name Kapono means “righteous” in the Hawaiian language.
Wilson attended Corner Canyon High School in Draper, where he starred as a dual-threat quarterback. As a senior, he passed for 2,986 yards and 24 touchdowns while also rushing for 752 yards and eight touchdowns, drawing attention from several college programs. Originally, he committed to play quarterback at Boise State University before later decommitting and choosing to attend BYU.
Diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a child, Wilson has spoken openly about how the condition runs in his family and how he has learned to manage it. He was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, though he has said he did not grow up active in the church and considers himself a spiritual person rather than a regular churchgoer.
Path to American Football
Wilson’s path to professional football began at Corner Canyon High School, where his combination of arm strength, accuracy, and mobility made him one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in the state of Utah. His senior production attracted offers from multiple programs, and his eventual switch from Boise State to BYU set the stage for his development at the collegiate level.
At BYU, Wilson quickly worked his way into the starting lineup. As a true freshman in 2018, he appeared in nine games and made seven starts, becoming the youngest quarterback to start a game in program history. He earned MVP honors of the 2018 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl after completing all 18 of his passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns in a victory over Western Michigan.
After a steady sophomore season in 2019 and a breakout junior year in 2020, Wilson established himself as a top NFL prospect. He set a BYU single-season completion percentage record at 73.5 percent, passing for 3,692 yards with 33 touchdowns against just three interceptions while adding 10 rushing touchdowns. He closed his college career by earning offensive MVP honors in the 2020 Boca Raton Bowl and being named co-recipient of the 2020 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award alongside USC safety Talanoa Hufanga.
Zach Wilson Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Wilson was selected second overall by the New York Jets in the 2021 NFL draft, the highest pick in BYU history at the time. He signed a four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $35.15 million with a $22.9 million signing bonus and a fifth-year option. His debut came against the Carolina Panthers, where he threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns in a narrow defeat.
His rookie season was inconsistent, marked by turnovers and a knee injury that forced him to miss four games. He finished 2021 with 2,334 passing yards, nine touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 3–10 record as a starter. In 2022, Wilson opened the year injured, returned to lead a brief four-game winning streak, but was eventually benched twice in favor of Mike White and Joe Flacco amid struggles and public criticism.
New York Jets Era (2021–2023)
Wilson’s first extended stretch as a starter came with the New York Jets from 2021 through 2023. He became only the fourth quarterback in NFL history to be intercepted in each of his first five starts, but also produced memorable moments, including a 297-yard comeback win over the Tennessee Titans in his first career victory. A Week 7 knee injury against the New England Patriots in his rookie year briefly sidelined his development.
In 2022, Wilson opened the year on the sideline due to a preseason bone bruise and meniscus tear before returning to lead a four-game winning streak that included an upset of the Buffalo Bills. However, inconsistency and questions about his accountability following a loss to the Patriots led to his benching behind Mike White and Joe Flacco, ending his season on the sideline.
Wilson’s 2023 season began dramatically when he entered the Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills after Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. He delivered a steady performance in a victory and reclaimed the starting role, eventually producing a career-best 117.9 passer rating in a 30–6 win over the Houston Texans that earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. A concussion in the following week’s loss to the Miami Dolphins ended his season prematurely.
Denver Broncos Era (2024)
On April 23, 2024, the Denver Broncos acquired Wilson and a 2024 seventh-round draft pick from the Jets in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick. Denver declined the fifth-year option on his contract, making him a free agent after the 2024 season, and listed him as the third-string quarterback behind rookie Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham. Wilson did not appear in a regular-season game for Denver during the 2024 campaign, spending the year as a backup while learning from the sideline.
Miami Dolphins Era (2025)
Wilson signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Miami Dolphins on March 17, 2025. In his lone season with the franchise, he appeared in four games in a reserve role, completing six of 11 pass attempts for 32 yards. Although his statistical contribution was limited, the experience allowed him to reset within a new offensive system and prepare for his next opportunity as a starter.
New Orleans Saints Era (2026–Present)
On March 26, 2026, Wilson signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, joining the team as a quarterback option heading into the new league year. The move marked a fresh chapter for Wilson as he looks to compete for meaningful playing time on a young Saints roster. His signing reflected the franchise’s interest in adding experienced depth to the quarterback room.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wilson is known for his strong arm, creativity off-script, and mobility to extend plays with his legs. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an ability to push the ball vertically and create explosive plays when given clean pockets, though consistency and decision-making have remained areas of focus. His athleticism allows him to function as a dual-threat presence, and his experience in multiple offensive systems has gradually improved his pre-snap recognition and rhythm.
Notable Events and Milestones
Wilson’s most celebrated milestone came when he was selected second overall in the 2021 NFL draft, becoming the highest-drafted quarterback in BYU history. He earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after a 30–6 win over the Houston Texans in 2023, posting a career-best 117.9 passer rating. He also produced one of the most memorable moments of his Jets tenure by driving the offense 58 yards in 24 seconds with no timeouts to force overtime against the New York Giants in 2023.
Zach Wilson Career Wins
Across his NFL career with the New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and New Orleans Saints, Wilson has accumulated regular-season victories as both a starter and a relief quarterback. His win total includes several dramatic comebacks, including his first NFL victory over the Tennessee Titans and a primetime win over the Buffalo Bills after Aaron Rodgers’ injury.
New York Jets Highlights
Wilson’s most productive stretch with the Jets came during his rookie season and parts of 2023. He secured his first NFL win against the Tennessee Titans with a 297-yard performance featuring a 53-yard touchdown pass to Corey Davis, and later earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns against the Houston Texans. His most memorable Jets moment may have been a late-game drive against the New York Giants that forced overtime with no timeouts remaining.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his Jets accomplishments, Wilson contributed to a Week 1 victory over the Buffalo Bills in 2023 as a relief pitcher following Aaron Rodgers’ injury, completing 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown. While he did not start any games during his time with the Denver Broncos or Miami Dolphins, he remained prepared as a backup and provided veteran depth in both locker rooms.
Zach Wilson Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Wilson was raised by his father, Michael Wilson, and his mother, Lisa Wilson (née Neeleman), in a close-knit family with strong athletic and entrepreneurial roots. His younger brother, Isaac Wilson, is also a college quarterback, continuing the family’s football tradition. Extended family members include airline entrepreneur David Neeleman and HealthEquity co-founder Stephen Neeleman, both relatives on his mother’s side.
Personal Life
Wilson announced his engagement to girlfriend Nicolette Dellanno in June 2024. The couple married on June 28, 2025, in New York City, with Wilson publicly sharing moments from the ceremony on social media. He has remained close friends with former BYU teammate Dax Milne, a relationship that dates back to their childhood.
2025 Season Performance
Wilson’s 2025 campaign with the Miami Dolphins served as a reset year following his year as a backup in Denver. Operating primarily in a reserve role, he appeared in four games and completed six of 11 pass attempts for 32 yards, providing veteran depth behind the Dolphins’ primary quarterback. The limited statistical output reflected his backup status rather than a broader decline in ability.
Throughout the season, Wilson focused on sharpening his mechanics and learning the Dolphins’ offensive system under head coach Mike McDaniel. Coaches praised his preparation and locker-room presence, and his teammates credited him with maintaining a steady approach despite a smaller on-field role.
With his contract expiring after the 2025 season, Wilson entered the spring as a free agent seeking a fresh opportunity to compete for a starting role. His subsequent one-year agreement with the New Orleans Saints signaled his intent to return to a more prominent position within an offense, setting the stage for what he hopes will be a defining chapter of his professional career.
